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Best mobile organiser apps

Berlin-based 6Wunderkinder, the operator of Wunderlist, was in fact wunderbar. From today, however, it is being replaced with the less wunderbar-named “To-Do” app from Microsoft, incorporating many of the same features. But will it supply the same satisfying ‘ding’ of its predecessor every time you complete a task?

A blog post from Ori Artman, general manager of Microsoft To-Do, does assert that To-Do, which is currently available in a preview mode, “comes from the team behind the Wunderlist app”. He also promises it will deliver “a smarter, more personal and intuitive way to help people stay organised and get the most out of every day”.

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Wunderlist already did this quite effectively with its simple list format, which can be categorised and easily shared with other users to split tasks up. Now, Microsoft is integrating it with Office 365 (anyone with a Microsoft account can use it) and “an intelligent algorithm”. Beyond this, Microsoft goes on to list all the things you can do, which users could already do within the Wunderlist app (add due dates, notes, access it across any device etc).

One new feature, however, is the promised “Intelligent Suggestions”. Microsoft says each day in the app will start with a clean slate, listing the day’s tasks, with the addition of an option to tap a lightbulb icon and get reminders of past tasks you missed, upcoming ones, or helpful suggestions.

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To-Do offers all the security you would expect from cloud-based Office 365, including encryption. Any business customers can get access to the preview version now through Office 365’s admin centre.

Microsoft goes on to promise that some of users’ favourite Wunderlist features will be included as time goes on – but it’s frustrating that basic essentials which made the app so handy, like list-sharing and apps for Android and iOS tablets, are not already available. This is likely why a lot of users will remain with Wunderlist until the final countdown.

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One of WIRED’s most die-hard Wunderlist fans, Matt Burgess, attempted to use To-Do’s import tool to move his lists over to the Microsoft app. After an immediate fail, he got in touch with Microsoft and one employee replied: “Our engineers are aware of the issues with the importer and are currently investigating this issue as quickly as they can. Unfortunately, because the issue seems to be on our end, there isn't any troubleshooting that I can recommend at this time. With that all said, I'll reach out to you again to let you know when we've resolve these issues.”

Microsoft promises not to shut down the app until it has “incorporated the best of Wunderlist into To-Do”. “While the name and icon may change, the team that brought you Wunderlist continues on. We look forward to making To-Do even more useful, intuitive and personal.”